Signal.



G. R. DOWLER.

PATENTED SEPT. S, 1907.

SIGNAL.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 12, mos.

2 SHEETSwSHBET 1.

BHT TERY SEMMPHORE.

/NVEN70H CHRRLES RDowLER A TT OH/VE Y8 E1 6) I EMBFINKMENT TUN NEL UNITED, STATES CHARLES R. DOWLER, OF DENVER, OOLORA rn rnr'fr OFFICE.

DU, ASSIGNOR TO THEUOLORADO RAILWAY SIGNAL.

No. 865,169. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 3, 1907.

Application filed September 12,19Q6. Serial No- 334,317.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. Dowmrn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented 6 a new and Improved Signal, 01' which the following on the semaphore device, adapted for holding it at safety display, circuit closers operated by floats or other automatic means, suitable circuit wiring with any source-of electric current supply, and automatic means whereby to adjust the semaphore to danger display.

The preferred form of my invention is, shown by the accompanying drawing, and hereinafter fully described, the novelfeature's being pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in illustration of my invention, Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a common form of semaphore signal employing a' pivoted 'bar with setting means, a case or box is shown secured to the semaphore post, adapted for containing mechanism illustrated in other views of my drawing, circuit wires leading to the case or box are also illustrated in the view. The bar is illustrated in full lines at safety, and at danger, by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a side view of the features illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. A is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 4-4, of' Fig. 3, showing devices or mechanism employed by me. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional -view, taken on line 55 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line (i6 of Fig. 5.

The invention. has to do with danger signals for rail--. ways of the general form, utilizing apost having a bar pivoted near its upper end, adapted to be worked by rods and levers as is common, and with the post located at a point along the track suitably distant from a point where it is liable to be undermined, washed away, or otherwise rendered dangmous to railway traffic.

Briefly started, my invention resides in peculiar I means atthe signal posts, electrical devices and circuit wiring, adapted to hold the signal at safety, be it in the nature of a semaphore bar, light, or other means, during safety condition of the track, a'nd with the signal holding means adapted for automatic operation, setting the semaphore or other signai device to danger.

In carrying out my invention .l employ a common form of semaphore signal device illm-ttnucd in Figs. 2 and 3, consisting of a post A with. pivoted bars 15 and a light 0, at its nppcr ond. I

It is designed to locaterthc semaphore device, socv Fig 1, ata'point suitably distant 519119.23. bridge D liable to be washed away, or otherwise rendered dangerous, an embankment l5 liable to be washed away by high water in a near stream thereof, effecting undermining of the railway track, or from the approach of a tunnol F. G indicates circuit wiring extending from suitable switches ii, normally held at circuit closing adjustment by operation of a iloat substantially as now patent ed by me, by an embeddodwcight l and connecting meaiis, as in my allowed application, injury to or tho washing away of the bridge l), or operation of suitable devices at other danger points upon the caving in of the walls of'a cut, an obstruction formed in the tuhm-l F, &c, all as will be understood andnot thcrcfore necossary to illustrate in my drawings, or described in this specification, for a full undcrstzunling of my invention. In Fig. 1 J indicates the signal device, and 18'. a battcry in-tho circuit G, but obviously any other suitable current supply may be employed.

lever L pivoted to the post A, at a point between the signal device and a box. or case M, having support on the post A. One end of the lever L is provided with a by means oi a rod 0. The other end of the lever L is provided with a depending rod 1, having at its lower end, a turn buckle Q, or other suitable adjusting means.

lt dcnotcs a cord, cable, or chain, extending down from the turn buckle Q, with its lower end coiled M, as will be understood upon ref ere-11cc to Figs. 5 and (S. The drum S is arranged on a shaft U, having rotatable support on a suitable frame V, located within the box or case M. p l

W indicates a like shai t having similar support on the frame V. l I

. ()n the shaft U l arrange a gcar-whocl A, with ifs tooth in gear with similar teeth of a pinion li, arranged on the shaft \Y, see Figs. 1 and 5 Aiutchct wheel 0, is arranged on the shaft \l, and I also arrange a brake-wheel l) on the same shaft, soc l igs. 4i and 5, the object of which will appear furthorou.

l'l indicates an arm having oscillating support on a standard F, leavingprojocting ends 1, 2, as shown.

The end 2 oi'thc lover la" is provided with a weight U, and an armature ii is arrangcd on the under side of said lover, at its end .I., as shown by Fig. 4.

An eloctro-magnet l is provided in the box or case M, the same being arranged under the armature ll suitably for magnetic attraction oi the armature on the lever ll. I

It will be understood that the coils of the elcctro-lnagnot 1 are located in the circuit G, see Fig. l.

The oscillating lever E is constructed with two spaced bars E, E, connected at their weighted ends 2, by a transverse stop .pin or tooth J. The arms 7* of the I would now refer to Fig. 2 of my drawing, showing a.

weight N and connected with the signal device or bar B,

around a drum S, in an inclosurc 'l, on the box or case 4 lower end of thelike arm K is designed to be engaged lever E are located adapted to pass up on opposite sides of the teeth on the ratchet wheel C and the connecting pin or tooth J ,is located on said lever adapted for engaging the ratchet wheel teeth, as indicated by dotted adjustment of the lever E, see Fig. 4. I

t K, K indicate bral; arms on an oscillating shaft K, the latter having suitable elevated support inthe case M.

The arms K, K and theshaft K are rigidly connected, The lower end of the arm K is arranged for frictional contact with the brake-wheel I), and the by a pin L on the gear wheel A,- substantially. as shownby Fig. 4 4 4 j The construction of my improved signal, will be un: (llStOOd fl'Oiil the above description.

To set the semaphore device B to saie 'or proceed position, the ratchet wheel C is rotated, which will in turn actuate the drum S on which the cable R is coiled, and in that way draw the semaphore blade to clear position indicated by full lines on Fig. 2. On the blade having assumed this position the armature H is manually adjusted into contact with the electro magnet I, which action also. adjusts the pin J into engagement with the ratchet wheel G, thereby holding the semaphore in that position during closure of the circuit G.

My'signal is intended to warn trainmen'o'f dangerous condition of roadway, at some given point, and in practice one would be set on either sideoi any point suitably in advance of the dangeroigsdocation. The circuit breakers H are intended to open the circuit G, upon rise of water to a given height, a burned bridge, a washed out condition or road bed, cave in tunnel 6:0, &c. i

The semaphore being set at clear position as before .me'ntioned, it will remain in that position until some condition arises opening the circuit Obviously, when the circuit G is opened the magnet becomes de energized and the weighted end of lever thereby be permitted to drop from holding engagement with the I ratchet wheel, the semaphore being thus freed, it will assume the danger or stop position as shown by dotted lines in Fig.2. In signaling against this class of danger. I it is necessary that the track be examined before signals are set at safe position. It will be seen that my signal thatit assumes the danger position auton'iatically.

' the semaphore device at safety,

meeting the battery and electro-magnenand acircuit closer battery. and-said,

. magnet, automatically cult wiring connecting -thecircuit breakers,

I, Witnesses: I device must be manually set to the safe position, and.

To better illustrate my meaning we will assume we have a bridge protected by this device against 9. dangerous rise of water,

qnent occurrence the country adjacent to the Rocky Mountains, the water courses having many feet of fall to such as might occur from a sudden- 4 violent storm of local character, such storms are of irethe mile, the flood soon spends its force, often in'a few minutes, but frequently sweeping everything before them. v

Current may be taken from line w ire carrying dynamo current instead of battery current as'illustrated. By engagement brake wheel I), the gear wheel A will be prevented rotating further than is necessary to allow the semaphore to' assume proper position.

I claim 1. A signal comprising a semaphore device, gravityopcrating means adapted to set the semaphore device at danger-adjustment,power operating meansjadaptied to set of the arms K, K with the pin L and the an electro-magne t, an osciL lating device, weighted at one'end, and providedwith n I armature at its other end, a I adapted to be adjusted intdhoiding engagement with said power operating means, a battery, wiring electrically conin operative arrangement between'the electro-magnet. f

.2. A signal comprising on the post, means holding the semaphore at surety, cglnprising ing' the -semaphore and device on the oscillating sr'm,

'ailever weighted at one end,'means counterweightadapted when released, by said.

a'post, an adjustable" semaphore holding means, to automatically "adjust. the semaphore to danger; an armature on the and an electro magnet with suitable [source of current .supply.

3. A signal comprising a post, a

danger, a drum and cable with the latterattached to the operating circuit breakers, and cir.

h v pivoted baron the post; counter-weighting devices operating to-adjust the bar to holding means; an electro barbperating devices, gearing. wherethrough to operatethe drum, meansadapted to retard operation of the gear- ,ing, means adapted tor-adjustment. into holding engagement with the'gearingcomprising a lever weighted at one end, and electrmmagnet devices in circuit with current supply and automatically operating circuit breakers, the f gear holding means being heldin ac'tlon during completion of circuit,energizlng the electro-magnet, and. adapted to, permit automatic adjustment or ,the signal bar to-da'nger upon open circuit demagnetizingthe electro-inagnet.

chances R. DQWLER.

SAM S. LANDONV :CLARI; C. Frmrmn. I 

